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Pennsylvania State Senate
04/25/2024 09:30 AM
Pennsylvania State Senate
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20210&cosponId=40327
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Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2021 - 2022 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: March 27, 2023 04:30 PM
From: Senator Katie J. Muth and Sen. Lindsey M. Williams, Sen. Tracy Pennycuick
To: All Senate members
Subject: Recognizing Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Awareness Month
 
In the near future, we plan to introduce a resolution recognizing April 2023 as “Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Awareness Month” in Pennsylvania.

As part of April being recognized nationally as Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), we also need to raise awareness of MST and the resources available in our Commonwealth and through the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for survivors of MST. To emphasize VA’s support and recognition of survivors’ strength, resilience and ability to heal, VA’s message for SAAM 2023 continues to be “We believe you, and we believe in you.”

According to VA statistics,1 in 3 women and 1 in 50 men report that they experienced sexual harrassment or sexual assault during military service when asked by their VA health care provider. Anyone in the military can experience MST, regardless of their age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, physical abilities or branch of service. MST can occur at any time or place during military service — while on or off duty and on or off base. The psychological impact of the assault and resulting trauma can push survivors out of the service and lead to tremendous difficulty readjusting to their civilian lives. 

As with other types of trauma, people can react to MST in many different ways. Although MST can be a life-changing experience, survivors are remarkably resilient. Some recover on their own. For many, however, the experience of MST continues to affect their mental and physical health, work, relationships or everyday life — sometimes years after the experience.

During Sexual Assault Awareness Month, we must also recognize the survivors of MST and raise awareness for the resources available to help them heal. Please join us in cosponsoring this resolution to support all survivors of MST. 

 


Introduced as SR97